Super Eagles Shock: Premier League Star Heads to Italy!
Talented defender Michael Kayode, known for his strong performances with Brentford, is on the verge of committing his international future to Italy following a senior team call-up for the upcoming UEFA Nations League. This move would make him ineligible for Nigeria, despite his dual heritage. However, the Super Eagles boast significant depth at right-back, with players like Ola Aina and Bright Osayi-Samuel providing robust cover.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria are poised to lose the talented defender Michael Kayode to the Italian senior national team, according to recent reports. Kayode, who has been a standout performer in the Premier League since last season, joined Brentford from Fiorentina in 2025 and has consistently delivered strong performances.
Last season, the 22-year-old featured in 37 games, contributing one goal and one assist. He established himself as a solid presence at the back, earning recognition for his powerful long throws that frequently troubled opponents and led to goals for his club.
Nigeria had been monitoring Kayode since his time at Fiorentina, and there have long been persistent calls to integrate him into the Super Eagles setup. The primary obstacle, however, was his involvement with the Italian youth teams. Despite his Nigerian roots, Kayode is eligible to represent Italy, having been born there and obtaining his citizenship upon turning 18. Consequently, he has represented Italy at the Under-18, Under-19, and Under-21 levels.
Hopes lingered that as long as he did not feature for Italy's senior team, he would remain eligible to switch allegiance and play for the Super Eagles. These hopes are now on the verge of being dashed, as Kayode has received his first call-up to the Italian senior squad for the upcoming international break.
Italy is scheduled to face Belgium, Turkey, and France in their opening fixtures of the new UEFA Nations League. If Kayode participates in any of these matches, under FIFA rules, he will no longer be eligible to play for Nigeria, even if he later decided to change his allegiance.
Despite the potential snub from Michael Kayode, who has reportedly not given thought to playing for Nigeria, the Super Eagles possess considerable depth and cover at the right-back position. Coach Eric Chelle can rely on several quality options.
Ola Aina remains one of the best right-backs in the Premier League. When fully fit, Aina offers genuine quality, demonstrating exceptional comfort with the ball at his feet, adept dribbling skills, and an ability to be a menace in one-on-one situations.
Furthermore, even in Aina's absence, Bright Osayi-Samuel has competently held the fort over the past year. Other reliable options include Abdullahi Bewene, who performed well when Nigeria played Poland in June, and Benjamin Fredrick, who can also deliver a solid shift when called upon.
Therefore, while Michael Kayode would undoubtedly have been a valuable addition to the Super Eagles squad, the right-back position appears to be well-sorted for Nigeria for the foreseeable future, thanks to the quality and depth of available players.